I step out of my office at the end of the day. Expectantly. Eagerly.
Often throughout this day my gaze has been drawn often toward the windows trying to catch a glimpse of the sun shining outside.
I’ve been frustrated that today, the only one we will see like this for a while, I am forced to stay inside.
So I leave work at the end of the day ready to enjoy what is left of the day.
I’m surprised it is not as warm outside as I had expected it to be. The sky is hazy and not quite as blue as it was earlier.
As I drive home my mind is running ahead of me.
Supper to make: thank goodness I made a big pot of vegetable soup yesterday and that there is enough left over for tonight. Dogs to feed: did I remember to take their food out of the freezer this morning? Email to answer: when I checked earlier I noticed there were a few things that need my attention. Plants to water: mustn’t forget to water the bedding plants I bought on the weekend. And other miscellaneous things I need to tend to around the house; there is always something that needs cleaning, tidying, or to be put away.
When I walk in the door the Yorkies greet me enthusiastically. I appreciate their little tails wagging and their little pink tongues giving me a quick kiss hello at the end of the day; I give them a treat to let them know how much I love them.
That window in the kitchen with the sliding glass door draws my attention, once more, toward the sun that shines outside.
I run upstairs quickly ready to shed my work clothes and change into something more comfortable, something more “me”. I pull on my capri pants and a t-shirt and hurry downstairs where the Yorkies already wait at the door. Seems they too are eager to enjoy the remainder of the sunny day.
On the patio, I pull out the new gravity chair we purchased on the weekend and sink down into it. As the Yorkies hop up onto my lap I push back to the reclining position and close my eyes.
I should take advantage of the quiet before my husband gets home to and finish the book I am reading to review. I should get up. I should get busy. I should. I should. I should.
But I don’t. For the moment I just enjoy the breeze caressing my arms and the warm sunshine hugging my legs. The sounds of the late afternoon are music to my ears: the trill of birds, the bark of a dog in the distance, the sound of a car driving past, and the laughter of a child playing nearby.
Yes there are things I should do, but for a few minutes I sit still and return to “me”.
I can relate to your words–we have a lot of shoulds but sometimes we need to just do us:)) Enjoy that sun!
Alas, it is gone already Terri. I wonder if your daughter is as tired of the clouds and rain as I am!
recharging your batteries….in such a nice way…
There is something so nice about just sitting and “being”. I hope you have time to do that for yourself often.
I hear you, my friend! Glad you took the time to just be…
Hi Sid…I suspect we all need many more moments like that than we usually take. Hope you are getting your share these days.
What a lovely post! With as rare as our sunny days have been this year, I’m of a mind that it should be a holiday day whenever we do get one. I’m so glad you found the perfect way to be still and absorb the gifts of the day.
Balance is so important, and so difficult to achieve. I’m glad you found a few moments to yourself!
It’s a constant struggle for most of is, isn’t it Beth. I hope you’re finding your own balance.